Kentucky Derby workouts: Creative Cause, Mark Valeski, and Liaison late-morning workers at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three prospective Kentucky Derby starters, including Santa Anita Derby runner-up Creative Cause, worked following the renovation break over a fast track Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

Creative Cause jogged and visited the starting gate prior to breaking off at the half-mile pole and breezing four furlongs in 47.43, completing his final quarter in 23.21 under some pressure. He galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.32.

Mark Valeski was the first of the Derby trio to go, working five-eighths in 1:00.34. He posted fast early fractions of 23.45 and 34.81 before tiring some coming to the wire and galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 and change. He was followed immediately by Liaison, who went in company with Mile High Magic and worked five furlongs from the 4 1/2-furlong pole in 1:00.83 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.32.

Other Derby horses training after the break included Prospective, Dullahan, Santa Anita Derby winner I’ll Have Another, and Rousing Sermon. Trinniberg was expected to breeze three furlongs, but instead turned in only a modified open gallop through the stretch.